Just the break that I need from Fuzhou.

Spending summer holiday in a fun place (great shopping, great food, great public transport), and prior to that, having the taste of the long longed intellectual stimulation and witnessing democracy at work in Shopping Haven Hong Kong.

I took the bus to get to Hong Kong and departed from Fuzhou on 27 May 2006, 7 pm. I arrived in Hong Kong at 9 am the next morning. It cost around 600 RMB (US$ 85) return trip by bus, and it cost 1900 RMB (US$ 275) by plane. Being a pure poor student and adventurous that I am, the bus is definitely an option.

My main purpose to go to Hong Kong was to attend the Symposium on "Chinese-style Politics of Recognition" scheduled on 29-30 May 2006, at the Shue Yan College - Hongkong SAR, China. The symposium went quite well, I was glad to have some political discussions and listen to some of the theoretical depictions of the politics of recognition. After being in Fuzhou, where there was hardly any discussions other than the myriad superficial life stories of students in a small language centre. The symposium brought a wide range of scholars, mainly from the China and the US. I was the only one from Southeast Asia. It was indeed a stimulating discussion.

Coincidently, 1 June is the annual celebration of the Hong Kong Handover to China. I was told that there will be a rally at the Victoria Park. I was determined to show up in support of the democratic movement in Hong Kong.

It was blazing hot, but thousands of people showed up in the Victoria Park and marched the streets of Hong Kong. I didn't understand the details of the speeches, but the pro democracy activists wanted the Mainland officials to remember that they will not forsake democracy despite the offer of stable economic development. Their demand for universal suffrage is crystal clear.

Apparently, the Mainland government have also prepared a counter rally. I missed this rally, I found out too late. Supporters of the Mainland government had their rally in the morning with colors of red (pro democracy activists use the color green), cheering for the achievements of Hong Kong post Handover.

Lessons of democracy is indeed an interesting one, where ever you are. In HK, the numbers of people rallying have decreased steadily. Many argued that HK people are content with their lives now and see no problems in democratic development in the region. Others counterargued by saying that it was because of the lack of specific agenda raised by the activists that makes it difficult for the people to respond to the rally. Comments were also made on how the Mainland government have attempted to accommodate demands from the pro democracy activists with their "not never, but not now" attitude.

This is the "One Country Two Systems" model. Many believed that peaceful reunification with Taiwan will depend heavily on how Mainland government would treat HK. I believe so. But alarms over the greater issue on democracy in China as one country may well not stem from HK. There are other regions, particularly with regard to the peasants, that require greater care and attention. While numbers of rallying people in HK are dwindling, numbers of peasants demonstrations are increasing significantly in the rural areas. We shall see how events in the rural areas unfolds as China continue with her rapid economic growth that are concentrated in urban areas.

In a less serious topic, HK is indeed a pleasant place. I always adore the MTR (subway) and the Octopus Card, with which we could conveniently pay for transport, meal, drinks, etc.

There are not many places you can visit in HK. There were the Avenue of Stars, Disneyland HK, Ocean Park, and Buddha Statue in Lantau Island. You can also go to the Peak and all. Shopping areas were abundant. My favorite has always been Mongkok.

Disneyland was actually quite a disappointment. It's much too small. The fireworks display at 7.30 pm however reduce my disappointment a little bit.

Nevertheless, it's nice to be back in HK again. As I said, an escape from Fuzhou is always welcome. We shall see what adventure awaits for the rest of summer holiday.